Coconut oil has been in use for ages. Apart from cooking, it is used for many purposes. After looking at its popularity in recent times, there have been different types of coconut oils made available in the market. There are advantages as well as disadvantages to consuming coconut oil. And you would be surprised to know that the liquefied and solid form of coconut oil is different from each other and has some really different properties. So, you might ask whether is coconut oil a liquid or a solid and which has greater advantages, coconut oil in liquid form or coconut oil in solid form. Read this article to know some new and interesting facts about this ingredient.
1. Should Coconut Oil be Solid or Liquid? Is Coconut Oil a Liquid or a Solid?
This is the first question that you might ask, is coconut oil a liquid or a solid? Coconut oil should be solid at room temperature. It is extracted from the flesh of the coconut and is a saturated fat. All saturated fats are solid at room temperature. The liquefied coconut oil has usually undergone some extra processing to make it liquid. This process removes some of the fatty acids that are responsible for keeping the oil solid. However, if you refrigerate coconut oil, it can become solid. (See What is the Total Amount of Solid Material Dissolved in Water?)
2. Why is Coconut Oil in Liquid Form?
Since we have already answered the question of whether is coconut oil a liquid or a solid, let’s look at why is coconut oil in liquid form. Coconut oil which is in liquid form is called fractioned coconut oil. This type of coconut oil is produced when the liquid part of the oil is created by melting coconut oil and then cooling it very slowly. This process separates the harder fats or rather healthy fats from the liquid portion of the coconut oil. Most of the coconut oil available is fractioned coconut oil, which is able to stay in liquid form.
3. Is Liquid Coconut Oil Healthy?
Now you know whether is coconut oil a liquid or a solid and why it is so. Coconut oil in liquid form is fractioned coconut oil and it has some health benefits too.
- It may help you in losing weight.
- It can be used as a treatment for epilepsy as it contains MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides.
- MCT found in fractioned coconut oil is also known to mild Alzheimer’s disease and improves brain function.
4. What Kind of Coconut Oil Stays Liquid?
The fractioned coconut oil is the coconut oil in liquid form. It stays liquid because most of its fatty acids, like lauric acid, have been removed. Read the next pointer to know whether you refrigerate coconut oil after opening or not.
5. Do You Refrigerate Coconut Oil after Opening?
No, you do not refrigerate coconut oil after opening. You just need to keep the lid of the jar tight. Since it is an edible oil, it needs to be kept in a cool and dark place to keep it fresh and retain its nutritional value. Check out Which Oil for Ryobi Pressure Washer is Recommended?
6. Why can’t You Spit Coconut Oil in the Sink?
You can’t spit coconut oil in the sink because it may very well lead to clogging. The coconut oil sticks to the pipe and hardens when the pipes cool, leading to blockages.
7. Can You Drink Straight Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil should be consumed in small quantities to get the best results. Consuming coconut oil is safe when done in moderation. However, ingesting large amounts of it will diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and cramps. It can also increase the level of bad cholesterol in your body, leading to cardiovascular risk. Read the next pointer to know when you should throw out coconut oil. Must read How Long does a Bottle of Liquid Chlorophyll last?
8. When Should You Throw out Coconut Oil?
Coconut oil has a longer shelf life. Refined coconut oil has a shelf life of 18-36 months while that virgin coconut oil is 3-5 years. But this can alter depending on a number of factors like climate, storage conditions, and exposure to other ingredients. Here are a few signs of bad or expired oil that you should look for which will require you to throw out coconut oil.
- If the oil has turned yellow, it means it had expired because normally the color is clear when in liquid form and milky while in the solid state.
- If your oil has turned bloaty or chunky, it is a sign that it is spoiled. Normal coconut oil has a smooth consistency.
- Coconut oil has a neutral scent. So, if you notice a sour or bitter scent, it means the oil has expired.
- If you notice black molds in your oil, it is definitely spoiled and should be thrown out immediately.
9. Why Should You not Cook with Coconut Oil?
Although coconut oil has some health benefits, it is not the best choice for cooking. It can be bad for your health because it contains saturated fat. This fat raise LDL or bad cholesterol in your body. When you cook with coconut oil, this bad cholesterol gets collected in your blood vessels and increases your risk of heart attack or stroke. (Also read Does Varnish Freeze?)
